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Body of Work: Abortion Conversations exhibition part 2: Kea Makhooane

November 12, 2017 by Marie Stopes South Africa Leave a Comment

Body of Work: Abortion Conversations exhibition part 2: Kea Makhooane

Marie Stopes and EASI co-hosted a workshop on abortion stigma for artists earlier this year. At the workshop, artists were given the opportunity to discuss abortion with experts in the field and to have time to develop the concepts for their artworks with other artists.

The exhibition used art as a platform to spark conversations about abortion – a topic still widely considered taboo in many South African communities.

Body of Work: Abortion Conversations features artists who have developed pieces specifically on the topic of abortion. Here, artist Kea Makhooane discusses her painting.

Kea Makhooane: Turning feelings into art that sparks conversation

Kea Makhooane artpiece

As an artist, Kea has traditionally focused on portrait work. However, when she delved into her thoughts around abortion, the piece that emerged was a thought-provoking abstract work that intrigued exhibition-goers.

“This is the first time I painted my feelings and the result was an abstract piece, which was actually a surprise,” says Kea, who chatted to onlookers without letting them know she was the artist. “I wanted people’s raw opinions so I didn’t let them know that I was the artist.”

Attendees were fascinated by the piece, says Kea. “They were wowed by it; really blown away. There’s a nothingness to it, but there’s also substance. It’s really about how a person interprets it. I want people to think whatever they want to think about it.”

The painting, with its use of transparency, empty spaces and spurts of colour, represents a multitude of feelings and thoughts around abortion – like the lack of transparency in talking about abortion, and the confusion and angst following the procedure when a lot of women feel they can’t talk about it to anyone.

“I liked the fact that there were some people who really enjoyed my art, and also those who were confused by it so that I had the opportunity to explain it.”

South Africans still conservative when it comes to abortion

Kea says the exhibition and related workshop taught her a lot about abortion and South Africans’ attitude to the procedure.

“Firstly, I didn’t know that you didn’t need your parents’ consent, even if you’re under 18, and I learnt that abortion is a real thing in terms of how many people are actually doing it. Why aren’t we having these conversations if it’s happening so much?

“Another thing I learnt is that South Africans are actually low-key conservative. We can talk about men’s issues but we can’t talk about women’s issues. I think the fact that it’s so taboo to have an abortion or even speak about it makes it difficult for women to go through with it, even though in their hearts they know they don’t want a baby.”

Societal pressure still driving women to illegal abortion providers

Kea believes a lot of women feel pressure from society to either keep their unwanted pregnancies or hide the fact that they want an abortion – even though the procedure is legal.

“I think women choose illegal abortion providers because they’re afraid of bumping into someone they know at a clinic or hospital. So I think they go the illegal route because they believe it’s cheaper or more discreet, but it’s actually just unsafe.”

Read more: Illegal abortions: Facts that will shock South Africans and Legal abortion: Know your rights to a safe termination

“Lastly, what I liked about the workshop was hearing people’s experiences and opinions, and talking to like-minded people who are open to [abortion]. Because there are lots of people who think just because you’re poor you should have an abortion. The people at the workshop were pro-choice, and I liked the fact that they weren’t just pro-abortion, but pro making a choice: open to the idea of either having an abortion or not having one.”

Abortion support and services at Marie Stopes

If you’re considering your options, you’ll always find a safe, caring and understanding space at Marie Stopes.

Learn more about the abortion services we offer, or find your nearest Marie Stopes centre and book an appointment online.

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Quick Facts

Effectiveness

No method works 100% of the time. Think about how important it is for you to prevent pregnancy. Keep reading…

Most Effective

Sterilisation: If you know for sure that you don't want any more children this can be good. Implants: Last for 3 years. Just remember to replace after 3 years! IUD: Many people like it cause once it's in, it works for 5 years. You can ask for one without hormones if you want. (But remember condoms to protect against infection!)

Some Methods 1

For injectables to work, a woman must get a repeat injection ON TIME. Pills must be taken about the same time every day.

Some Methods 2

Male condoms and sterilisation depend on the man. He also has to cooperate to use the female condom. Nice thing about condoms: they protect against pregnancy AND infection. Safe!

Seriously Not Safe

Some people think that it's OK for the man to pull out of the vagina before he comes. NO! There can be sperm in the fluid that comes out before he comes – leading to pregnancy or infection.

Get Help

If you think you may be pregnant, DO A PREGNANCY TEST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE – you can get these tests from the pharmacy or your clinic or doctor. If you have an unwanted pregnancy, the sooner you know, the better you can be helped to choose what to do.

There are lots of government clinics that give free family planning. Look in the phone book or call a local clinic to find the closest one. Marie Stopes are South African government-approved reproductive health clinics.

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More on Abortion

About TOP’s

It is legal for women of any age to have an abortion in South Africa. No parental or partner permission is needed. It is your body and your decision to end or keep the pregnancy … nobody can force you. It is very important to go to a registered, legal facility. There are many people who advertise abortion services, but many are not legal and having a ‘backstreet abortion’ could be dangerous to your health and life.

Know Your Rights

Any woman can ask for an abortion in the first three months (12 weeks) of pregnancy. If you are three to five months (13-20 weeks) pregnant, an abortion can be performed under certain circumstances. It is very important to act quickly, the earlier you seek help the better.

Where to go

You can visit your doctor who will refer you to an appropriate facility and a consultation fee will be charged. You can go to a private organisation such as Marie Stopes where there will be also be a charge. Some government facilities offer abortions for free, see link below for a list of local government facilities which offer the service.

Abortion Methods

Medical abortion: Tablets to end an early pregnancy can be taken up until the 9th week of pregnancy. You will be given pills to take at the clinic and to take at home. It will cause you to bleed like a period, but it might be heavier than your normal period.

Surgical abortion: The pregnancy is removed whilst you are at the facility, typically through vacuum aspiration.

Importance of Knowing

It is important to know how many weeks pregnant you are as this will affect the type of abortion method available to you. For instance:

  • Medical abortions (pills) are only available if you are less than 64 days (up to 9 weeks) pregnant
  • Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is a surgical abortion procedure that can be done up to 3 months (12 weeks) of pregnancy
  • For pregnancies over 3 months (12 weeks) medical or surgical procedures can be performed under certain circumstances.

Future Plans

If the abortion is done by a legal provider at a legal facility, problems after the procedure are rare. A trained counsellor will discuss your options and advise you on which family planning methods are suitable for you.

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